CREWE Athletic are flying high after adopting a professional approach to their game.

Players and staff at the Cheshire and Border Counties League Division One outfit, formally called Coppenhall FC, felt things had gone stale after they finished fourth from bottom last season.

So player-boss Shannon Sinnott drafted in five new players, changed the club's name and was handed a set of new training tops from generous local businessman Trevor Owen, of general store Kezbeccs, at Coronation Street.

Now they are riding high at the top of the league and are unbeaten so far.

Shannon said: `We just needed a fresh start and it has had a psychological effect. Before the lads used to turn up five minutes before, kick a ball around and then go to the pub.

`Now with the new kit and new name, we have become more professional and attitudes have changed. It is certainly paying off on the pitch. I would like to say a big thank you to Trevor, who has always stuck by us, as well as the Duke of Bridgewater and everyone else who helps us.'

In the Crewe Regional Sunday League's WC Barker Memorial Trophy, strikes from Socha, Wright, Bell, Esply and Wilbraham (2) saw The Express hit six past Wrenbury, who could only manage three in reply through Bossons, Kennedy and an own goal.

Brendon Stockton added an extra time winner to his early strike to help AC Wickstead dismiss Red Lion Wybunbury (Liddle), while a Peter Muncey double and an extra time winner from Nick Chapman ensured Betley just squeaked past (Ben Stevens, Chris Ridgeway).

Extra time could not separate Beeston Hotel and Peacock/Willaston Villa, which was 1-1 at normal time and 2-2 after extra time. Chris Butler and

Ed Briscoe netted for Beeston with Gordon Evans and Will Sharkie replying for Peacock.

White Lion (Sumner, Griggs) lost 4-2 to Nantwich Young Farmers (Dean 2, Morgan 2), while goals from Julian Fleet, Paul Brown and Barry Murrell (2) will be chalked off, as Willaston White Star's game with Faddiley was abandoned when Faddiley went down to six men through injuries.

In the Crewe and District League, Sandbach United moved back into pole position by beating Bunbury 3-0 (Dan Coppenhall, Vic Gilbert, Sam Gilbert).